City gets 30 special reservation counters to clear festival rush

CHENNAI: In view of the Deepavali on October 27, Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar will inaugurate 30 special counters to book bus tickets on October 24.

For three days starting October 24, the State government has announced operation of 4,265 special buses along with regular service from the city to various parts of the State. The buses will be operated from CMBT, Madhavaram New Bus stand, KK Nagar MTC bus stand, Arignar Anna bus stand, Tambaram-Sanatorium (MEPZ) and Tambaram Railway Station bus stand, and Poonamallee Municipal bus stand from October 24 to 26.

In addition to the daily service of 2,225 buses from the city to all district headquarters, 4,265 special buses will be operated from October 24 to 26. “As on date, 43,635 passengers have reserved tickets to travel from Chennai and 23,138 passengers have reserved tickets for the buses plying between other districts. In all, 66,773 passengers have reserved tickets. Total amount earned through reservations is Rs 3.26 crore,” a statement said.

Like the previous year, passengers who wish to travel for more than 300 km in special buses can reserve their tickets through www.tnstc.in, www.redbus.in, www.Paytm.com, www.makemytrip.com , www.busindia.com and www.goibibo.com. “In addition to the existing reservation counters, 26 special reservation counters will be opened in CMBT Bus stand, two in MEPZ and one each at Poonamallee Bus Stand and Madhvaram Bus Stand,” the statement said.

The reserved buses from CMBT would ply via Outer Ring Road to reach Vandalur instead of Tambaram and Perungalathur to reach the temporary bus stand at Urapakkam. Authorities have requested passengers with boarding points at Tambaram and Perungalathur to board concerned buses at Urapakkam temporary bus stop.

To avoid traffic congestion, during October 24 to 26, people who are using personal vehicles to travel could avoid the route via Tambaram, Perungalathur by taking a diversion via Tirukazhukundam-Chengalpattu/Sriperumbudur-Chengalpattu, the release appealed.